Bayfield Short Term Rentals Update

Bayfield considered a draft resolution and ordinance to charge a 4% tax on short term rentals. The resolution states that the purpose of such accommodations tax is to provide funding for economic development, workforce housing and related municipal expenses, but that has not yet been finalized. On September 5th, the Town Board will adopt ballot

Proposition 123 Update

The City of Durango has made a commitment to develop 184 additional affordable housing units over the next three years, thanks to the approval of state funding by Colorado’s voters through Proposition 123. Leading this initiative is the city’s Housing Innovation Division, which became eligible for the funding by establishing a baseline of affordable housing

Proposition HH

Proposition HH aims to increase the state’s cap on tax collection and reduce the tax burden on property owners. The measure will be put to a vote in November. Advocates project that the measure could reduce property owners’ tax burden by hundreds of dollars per year. Opponents say the measure will cause a $10 billion

LPC Hiring Updates

Kevin Hall has been hired as La Plata County’s Deputy County Manager. Hall formerly worked for the City of Durango and was also the Interim Community Development Director for La Plata County. Lynn Hyde has been hired as the new Community Development Director and is expected to start at the end of July.  Hyde is

LPC Land Use Code Update

La Plata County adopted the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code to become effective on August 1, 2023.  If the code wasn’t adopted before July 1, the county would have had to go to 2021 code by state statute. Staff said that may have been difficult for the local community which is now operating under the

Workforce Development Grants

Colorado awarded $27 million to 46 organizations in June in the first phase of grants through the Opportunity Now Colorado program designed to enhance workforce-development pipelines at a time of significant labor shortage across industries. A smaller grant went to a La Plata County program to provide adult learners with professional certificates driven by industry